President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia's foreign policy is increasingly shaped by the imperative of economic diplomacy.
She says this is no longer a complementary aspect of international engagement but a central instrument in advancing national development objectives.
The president was speaking at the annual New Year's Greetings ceremony for the Diplomatic Corps, held at State House.
"Namibia enters the year 2026 with clarity of purpose and confidence in the direction of its foreign policy. Our external relations remain firmly anchored in the enduring principles of respect for sovereignty, equality among states, non-interference in internal affairs, adherence to international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. These principles continue to guide both our bilateral and multilateral engagements."
President Nandi-Ndaitwah also explained the renaming of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, saying the move is intended to ensure that international partnerships translate into tangible and measurable benefits.
The country also places emphasis on the role of effective diplomatic missions and consular cooperation in promoting two-way investment and facilitating market access for local products.
Nandi-Ndaitwah says that to support industrialisation, Namibia is prioritising the diversification of its energy mix, with particular attention to clean and renewable energy.
"We invite our international strategic partners to accompany us on this journey, guided by mutual benefit, technology transfer, and shared responsibility. Climate change remains both an existential and developmental challenge, particularly for vulnerable countries such as Namibia. Namibia continues to advocate for predictable, accessible, and affordable climate and development finance, with a strong emphasis on adaptation and resilience."
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Namibia, Lauria Ngayino Nguele-Makouelet, says that as development partners, they aim to strengthen collaboration in the implementation of development programmes.
The diplomatic greetings ceremony is held annually, during which the president addresses resident and non-resident diplomats accredited to Namibia.